Chapter Text
Joe woke to an empty bed and a note on Nicky's pillow. Joe took the note, which said:
"Problems with an oven at the bakery. Stay put, and I'll serve pastry naked for you once I return. Love Nicky."
Joe took Nicky's pillow before hugging it. The pillow smelled of pastry and bread, just like Nicky and Joe loved it. When Joe couldn't ignore his bladder any more, he got out of bed. After brushing his teeth, Joe couldn't ignore his roaring stomach any more and decided to see if there was any left of Nicky's delicious Christmas Tiramisu. While having his head in the fridge, Joe registered someone moving around in the living room.
"Yeah, I know," Joe said. "I shouldn't eat Christmas Tiramisu at 10 AM in the morning."
Joe stuck the spoon in the bowl with the Christmas Tiramisu.
"But it's really your own fault for making such a delicious dessert because this Christmas Tiramisu is so good," Joe said. "I'm really keen to know what the secret ingredient is."
Joe ate the big spoonful with Christmas Tiramisu.
"Here's an idea: What if I lick the Christmas Tiramisu off your body?" Joe asked. "Will you tell me everything about the Christmas Tiramisu?"
Joe licked the spoon before he ate two big spoonfuls with Christmas Tiramisu before he closed the fridge, where he got a small shock.
"Nicky?" Joe asked. "How did you do that?"
"Do what?" Nicky asked. "What are you talking about?"
"Get from my right to left without me noticing it," Joe replied while he looked confused to his right and left. "I heard you in the living room a moment ago, so do you have a door leading to the hallway I don't know about?"
Nicky kissed Joe.
"Joe," Nicky said. "I swear there is only us in the flat."
Seconds after Nicky had said that, a woman stood in the kitchen.
"Mama?" Nicky asked, surprised. "When did you get here?"
"Through the door," Elena replied. "I haven't learned how to fly yet."
Nicky giggled. He loved his Mama's jokes.
"And you're in big trouble, young man," Elena said. "Why haven't you told me you got a boyfriend?"
Elena reached out her hand as a greeting, which Joe took with a smile.
"Nice meeting you, Senora di Genoa," Joe said. "I'm Joe."
"Nice meeting you, Joe," Elena replied. "Please call me Elena. Senora di Genoa is my Mama."
Joe looked at Nicky.
"Nicky?" Joe asked. "Why are you staring at me?"
"Joe," Nicky replied. "Uhmm..."
Nicky was trying to find the right words while he looked at his Mother, who was smiling.
"Anyway," Joe said. "Why don't we invite your Mother out for lunch? I know the perfect place for lunch with your boyfriend's Mother."
Nicky nodded.
"Good," Joe said. "And why are you still staring at me, Nicky?"
"It's for you to figure out," Nicky replied. "But may I suggest you put on an extra pair of socks since you're always freezing your feet?"
"Great idea," Joe replied. "I hate cold feet."
Joe kissed Nicky on the nose before looking at Elena.
"Just so you know it, Elena," Joe said. "Your son always gets the best ideas."
"I know," Elena replied. "And I have photos of his best ideas he had as a child."
"I have to see them one day," Joe replied. "Be right back."
Joe left the kitchen.
"He is nice," Elena said. "But why didn't you tell him?"
"Oh, he'll figure it out in less than a minute," Nicky replied. "Anyway, how are things back home? Have Papa made peace with the bees?"
In the bedroom, Joe was looking forward to lunch with Nicky and his Mother until he looked at himself in the mirror.
"Nicky?" Joe asked. "Do you mind joining me in the bedroom?"
It only took a moment before Nicky stood in the bedroom, where Joe closed the door after him.
"Do you mind telling me.." Joe asked. "Why didn't you tell me I was standing naked in front of your Mother?"
"You know how my mind works whenever I see you naked," Nicky replied. "It's a beautiful sight."
Joe sat down on the bed before burying his face in his hands.
"I'm so sorry, Nicky. I have embarrassed you," Joe said. "I understand perfectly if you want to break up with me."
Nicky walked over to Joe where Joe wrapped his arms around Nicky's waist while Nicky ran his fingers through Joe's curls.
"I'm not breaking up with you, Joe," Nicky replied. "My Mama is married to my Papa. She raised seven sons and is working as a doctor in the army, so you aren't the first naked man she has seen in her life."
"I know you're trying to make me feel better," Joe replied. "But it doesn't help."
Nicky made Joe look at him.
"Listen to me, Joe," Nicky said. "What happened today is something we'll laugh at one day."
"I really hope not," Joe replied. "This is not how I imagine meeting any of your parents, Nicky. I had imagined it would happen while I was wearing clothes."
Nicky ran his fingers through Joe's curls.
"You trust me, right?" Nicky asked. Joe nodded. "So, get dressed and go with us to lunch since you were the one who invited my Mother out."
Nicky placed a finger on Joe's lips to prevent him from saying anything.
"Do that," Nicky said. "And my Mother will tell you a story about what my Father did when his Mother showed up unannounced two days before Christmas."